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SANAC NEWSThe official newsletter of the South African National AIDS Council • Issue 18 • March/April 2017

SANAC launched its fourth National Strategic Plan for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis (2017–2022) on 31 March. The plan was launched at a special event in Bloemfontein, by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, US Chargé D’Affaires Jessye Lapenn, UN Goodwill Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi were present at the event to show their support for the new plan.

In the plan are a set of bold and ambitious targets which include reducing new HIV infections from 270 000 to less than 100 000 per year, reducing new tuberculosis (TB) infections from 450 000 to less than 315 000 per year and reaching the 90–90–90 targets—whereby 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status are accessing treatment and 90% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads—by 2020.

National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs (2017-2022) launched- Kanya Ndaki

National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs (2017-2022) launched ...............................1-2- Kanya Ndaki

SANAC Civil Society Forum Elections ........... 3- Nelson Dlamini

Getting to know... Abdul Aziz Shabodien ... 4- Nelson Dlamini

HSRC targets 60 thousand participants for HIV Survey .......................................................... 5

What is TB? ................................................ 6-7

Scenes from the NSP launch ...................... 8-9

The HR Hangout ...........................................10

- HR & Comms Desks

IN THIS ISSUE

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“All sectors of society must contribute to the effort to eliminate AIDS and TB as public health threats. Our individual and collective actions must count,” said SANAC Chairperson, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

To achieve the targets, the government and partners will use a combination of high-impact programmes in the locations and among the populations most affected by HIV. The plan also outlines a special focus on HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women, who have the highest rates of new HIV infections in South Africa—100 000 young women became newly infected in South Africa in 2015.

SANAC NEWS • APR I L 20 1 7

During a panel discussion on how leaders will implement the NSP, Cosatu’s Xolisile Qayiso pledged the support of the labour federation in the implementation of the NSP.

South Africa is also stepping up its efforts to treat TB. Most AIDS-related deaths in South Africa are due to TB, and in recent years South Africa has experienced a new epidemic of multidrug resistant and extensively-drug resistant TB. As part of plans to dramatically improve adherence and drug resistance issues, the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, also launched a new nine-month drug regimen to treat multidrug resistant TB. n

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SANAC Civil Society Forum Elections- Nelson Dlamini

The SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF) recently elected new leaders for the new term which began on 1 April 2017. The term of office for sector leaders and representatives runs concurrently with the National Strategic Plan (NSP). Following the launch of the new NSP on 31 March, CSF leadership and representatives officially assumed a new term of office.

The new CSF leadership was elected and inaugurated as follows:

Sports, Arts & Culture SectorLeader: Mabalane MfundisiSector Reps: Sphiwe Mokoena / Pearl Mosoane

Women’s SectorLeader: Khanyisa DunjwaDeputy: Silungile MntamboSecretary: Nontyantyambo Makapela Deputy Secretary: Steve Letsike Organiser: Kedibone Lekgetoa

Disability Sector Leader: Jacques LloydSector Reps: Mondli Nkota / Peo Mokoto

Traditional Leaders Sector Leader: Chief Nokhakha JumbaSector Reps: Makhadzi Ravele / Prince Manene

Youth SectorChair: Thembinkosi JosephAdditional members: Lerato Mofokeng / Tidimalo Legwase

NGO SectorLeader: Mokgadi MalahlelaDeputy: Makhosazane KuneneSector Reps: Zolani Barnes / Roger Phili

Sex Workers SectorLeader: Thuli KhozaSector Reps: Leora Casey / Katlego Rasibitse

Men’s Sector Leader: Bafana KhumaloDeputy: Dr. Matome KganakgaSecretary General: Rev. Mbulelo Dyasi Deputy Secretary: Siyabulela Ndesi

LGBTI SectorLeader: Steve Letsike Deputies: Nonhlanhla Mkhize / Brian KanyembaSecretary: Shaine GriquaOrganiser: Cindy Maotoana n

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SANAC NEWS • APR I L 20 1 7

Getting to know … Abdul Aziz Shabodien

Who is Aziz?

I’m a very open person with a ‘high level of extraversion’ – meaning I’m very excitable, sociable and talkative. I enjoy meaningful conversations and believe in being approachable as a person.

Growing up with two brothers and three sisters gave me a sense of competitiveness as well.

What does your work at SANAC entail?

I manage, coordinate and administer contracts and grants to SANAC Trust recipients and beneficiaries. I also build capacity with its partners, PCAs, civil society sectors and I report on progress against contracts and grants. I am also responsible for providing technical and strategic support to SANAC management and departments as well as review and develop the SANAC strategic plan and the annual performance plan.

Interesting things you love about your work?

My professional background spreads across a few industries ranging from insurance, corporate banking and retail. But since I started working in this industry for the National Institute of Communicable Diseases I felt very fulfilled. Before joining SANAC, I worked for NICD, Wits Health Consortium, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University Research Council, LLC etc. and I must say the work we do makes a difference in people’s lives. I’ve enjoyed swapping expressions like ‘bottom line’, ‘turnover’ and ‘profits’ for terms such as ‘cure rate’, ‘treatment success rate’, bacteriological coverage’ and ‘smear conversion rate’ etc.

The one thing people don’t know about you?

I recently got married, in July 2016, and we’re already expecting a little one sometime in October this year. I love sports so occasionally I’ve been referred to as a ‘sports encyclopaedia’. I try to play golf at least once a weak and I also enjoy basketball but at my age, I think my mind is faster than my body! n

- Nelson Dlamini

“I’m a very open person with a ‘high level of extraversion’...”

Abdul Aziz Shabodien

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SANAC NEWS • APR I L 20 1 7

HSRC targets 60 thousand participants for HIV Survey- Nelson Dlamini

The HRSC recently launched its 5th HIV Prevalence Survey at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The survey aims to determine the country’s HIV prevalence status and will also look at behavioural and social factors that puts South Africans at risk of contracting the virus – these include alcohol and substance abuse.

The survey is undertaken every 5 years and plays a significant role in informing health policies in response to HIV and other factors associated with the virus.

SANAC Acting CEO, Dr. Connie Kganakga attended the launch with SANAC Deputy Chairperson Steve Letsike. “We are looking forward to the survey so it can inform us on the issue of viral suppression because we are really not doing well on that front,” said Dr. Kganakga.

In her capacity as Chair of the SANAC Civil Society Forum, Steve Letsike pledged the support of civil society organisations and added that the survey will assist with the 90-90-90 targets of the National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs.

More about the survey

It is a national survey that aims to provide a better understanding of not only the HIV status of individuals but also information on socio-demographic and behavioural determinants which greatly enhances the analysis and interpretation of HIV infection trends in South Africa. It also includes the use of novel laboratory methodologies to help estimate HIV incidence and exposure to antiretroviral treatment (ART). The HSRC has previously conducted this survey in 2002, 2005, 2008 and in 2012.

How does it work?

• This survey will run over a period of 8 months, and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2017.• 40 000 study participants will be sampled from 15 000 households identified in the national sampling as in previous surveys; another 20 000 individuals from 7000 households in 13 selected high HIV prevalence districts will be carried out to enable the generation of more precise district-level HIV prevalence estimates. • Method

Dried blood spot (DBS) specimens collected by finger-prick (or heel-prick in infants) will be tested for HIV infection status, HIV incidence, antiretroviral (ARV) exposure, Viral Load, and HIV Drug Resistance.

What will be asked?

• Household profile (family size) • Socio-demographic characteristics • Media and communication• Social norms Sexual history HIV knowledge and attitudes• HIV testing• HIV status• Care and treatment • Tuberculosis (TB)• Other health issues such as male circumcision, violence, drugs, alcohol use and mental health

Picture: Courtesy of HSRC

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What is TB

31 | ISSUE 7 | www.positivemagazine.co.za

POSITIVE | Health

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KNOWING ABOUT TB COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

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11Things you need to

know about TB

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), South Africa is one of the countrieswith the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB). It is reported that about 1% of the South African population will develop active TB disease each year. Worldwide, South Africa holds the third highest percentage of people living with TB, after India and China. Over the past 15 years, the number of people living with TB has increased by 400%. Currently TB is reported to be the leading cause of natural death in South Africa with 40 000 to 60 000 deaths a year. It is estimated that 73% of people with TB are also HIV-positive in South Africa.

WHAT IS TB?

TB is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuber-culosis. The bacteria usually a� ects the lungs, but it can also a� ect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys or even the spine. TB can lead to death if a per-son does not receive treatment.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TB?

The general symptoms of TB include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. TB a� ects the lungs and the symptoms can as a result also include cough-ing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood. Symptoms of TB in other parts of the body depend on the area a� ected. >

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Health | POSITIVE

HOW IS TB SPREAD?

TB germs are spread into the air when a person with active TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneez-es, speaks, or even sings. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environ-ment, such as if there is no ventilation. Any person who breathes in the air which contains these TB germs can become infected: this is called latent (sleeping) TB infection.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LATENT TB INFECTION

AND (ACTIVE) TB DISEASE?

People with latent TB infection have TB germs in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop active TB in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing active TB. People with active TB are sick from TB bacteria that are active, meaning that they are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. People with active TB usually have symptoms of TB. People with TB of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading germs to others. Prescribed drugs are avail-able to treat it.

HOW IS ACTIVE TB TREATED?

TB can be treated with several drugs. It is very impor-tant that people who have the TB disease finish their medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can be-come sick again; if they do not take the drugs correct-ly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat. The medications that is most commonly used to treat tuberculosis include:• Isoniazid.• Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)• Ethambutol (Myambutol)• Pyrazinamide.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE SPENT TIME WITH SOMEONE WITH LATENT TB INFECTION?

A person with latent TB infection cannot spread germs to other people. You do not need to be tested if you have spent time with someone with latent TB infec-tion. However, if you have spent time with someone with active TB or someone with symptoms of TB, you should get tested.

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WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO

SOMEONE WITH TB?

People with TB are most likely to spread the germs to people they spend time with every day, such as

family members or coworkers. If you have been around someone who has TB, you should go to your doctor or your local health department for tests.

WHAT DOES A POSITIVE TEST FOR TB INFECTION MEAN?

A positive test for TB infection only tells that a person has been infected with TB germs (latent TB). It does not tell if the person has progressed to TB disease or not. Tests such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum are needed to see whether the person has TB disease.

WHAT IS BACILLE CALMETTE–GUÈRIN (BCG)?

BCG is a vaccine for TB. It does not completly prevent people from getting TB but it helps. It may cause a false positive tuberculin skin test. However, persons who have been vaccinated can be given a tuberculin skin test or TB blood test.

WHY IS LATENT TB INFECTION TREATED?

If you have latent TB infection but not active TB, your doctor may want you to take a drug to kill the TB germs and prevent you from developing active TB. The deci-sion about taking treatment for latent infection will be based on your chances of developing active TB. Some people are more likely than others to develop TB dis-ease once they have TB infection. This includes people with HIV infection, people who were recently exposed to someone with TB, and people with certain medical con-ditions.

WHAT IS DRUG-RESISTANT TB?

When patients are resistant to the two most powerfulfirst-line antibiotics (isoniazid and rifampicin), they are considered to have multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). MDR-TB is not impossible to treat, but the drug regimenis arduous, taking up to two years and causing many side effects. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is identified when patients show resistance to the second-line drugs administered for MDR-TB. The treatment options for XDR-TB are very limited. Two new drugs – bedaquiline and delamanid – have recently become available to some patients who have no other treatment options left. PM

People with TB of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading

germs to others.

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Courtesy of SA Positive Magazine

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Scenes from the NSP launch

8Continue on p.9

Civil society leaders, government officials, researchers and SANAC partners attended the launch of the National Strategic Plan for HIV,

TB and STIs: 2017-2022 in Bloemfontein on 31 March 2017.

Xolisile Qayiso from Cosatu represented the labour federation during the panel discussion on the NSP.

In his capacity as Chairperson of SANAC, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs: 2017-2022.

Representatives of the adolescent girls and young women movement ‘She Conquers’ also attended the event.

Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi also launched a new TB drug at Pelonomi Hospital. He later joined SANAC Chair, Deputy President

Cyril Ramaphosa to launch the NSP at Clive Solomon Stadium.

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Scenes from the NSP launch

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Renowned SABC TV News journalist, Peter Ndoro was the Moderator for the panel discussion on the NSP.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé was also in attendance.

Leaders also interacted with community members to educate them about TB and the NSP at Bloemfontein’s busiest taxi rank, Hoffman Square.

Information services’ stalls at the stadium. UN Goodwill Ambassador, Yvonne Chaka Chaka was the MC for the day.

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The HR Hangout

In this issue we look at workplace stress…Employee wellness is important in order to maintain a happy and productive workforce. It’s inevitable that at some point one may feel overwhelmed with work, which leads to stress!

While a little bit of stress can help you stay focused and energetic, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and performance. This takes a toll on your physical and emotional health. When stress on the job is interfering with your ability to work, care for yourself or manage your personal life, it’s time to take action.

Common causes of workplace stress

• Lack of control over how you do your work

• Pressure to perform to meet rising expectations but with no increase in job satisfaction

• Fear of being laid off

• More overtime due to staff cutbacks

Signs of excessive workplace stress

• Feeling anxious, irritable or depressed

• Apathy, loss of interest in work

• Fatigue

• Trouble concentrating

• Muscle tensions or headaches

• Social withdrawal

How to cope

• Share your stress/frustrations with someone close to you• Turn to coworkers for support

• Improve your diet and exercise regularly

• Get enough sleep

• Find creative ways of managing your time

• Don’t over-commit yourself

• Take time off n

- HR & Comms Desks